Omiseop, Gwangju Seo-gu Council Member, Leads Amendment Proposal
Passed in Plenary Session... Economic and Social Integration Support Needed
Omiseop Oh, a member of the Gwangju Seo-gu Council, who proposed the ordinance, saw the partial amendment of the "Ordinance on Support for the Settlement of North Korean Defectors in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City" pass the 3rd plenary session of the 326th extraordinary meeting on the 25th.
The ordinance ▲ expands the scope of expenses for supporting the settlement of North Korean defectors from only the budget to include funds, and ▲ establishes a legal basis to support the 'North Korean Defectors Day' event designated as a memorial day by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.
The existing ordinance stipulates necessary matters to support North Korean defectors in adapting to and settling in local communities within South Korean society.
Councilor Oh said, "North Korean defectors are our people whom we must embrace beyond ideological walls," adding, "Support is needed for their economic independence and social integration, which will open the way for peaceful reunification."
Councilor Oh previously served as the secretary-general of the 'Korean Red Cross Gwangju Jeonnam Branch Northern Hana Center,' an affiliated organization of the Ministry of Unification, where he promoted policy support for the settlement, employment, and adaptation of North Korean defectors to South Korean society.
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